Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi(SCAD)issued its monthly report on the prices of building materials for the month of October 2012.The report presents an analysis of the movements in the prices of the various materials used in the construction industry in Abu Dhabi retail market,comparing October 2012 prices with those of September 2012 and October 2011.
The dissemination of this important report,which presents a wide range of price data,is intended to serve the needs of data users in the public and private sectors for the purposes of research,planning and decision making in ways that support the construction sector as well as related and dependent sectors.
Prices falls:October 2012/2011
As SCAD s report reveals,decreases were recorded in the average monthly prices of 11 groups of building materials during October 2012 compared with October 2011.The falls ranged between 1.7%for roofing materials and 19.8%for"wires for apartments".
Wires
The largest fall in y-o-y October prices was recorded in the average prices of"Wires",led by the decrease in"Wires for apartments"(down 19.8%),while"Wires for residential towers"and"Wires for small buildings"decreased by 14.1%and 11.7%,respectively.
Steel
The average y-o-y price of"Steel"October 2012 retreated by 9.2%,with drops in the component items of the group ranging between 4.9%and 18.2%.Steel prices have been decreasing steadily since the beginning of the current year.
Pipes
The average prices of PVC pipes declined by 13.9%in October 2012,as items in this group decreased by 3.1%for"PVC Pipes\1/2 inch\6m\U.A.E."to 26.4%for"PVC Pipes\3 inch\6m\U.A.E.".Meanwhile the average prices of"uPVC pipes"slumped 2.8%.
Price rises:October 2012/2011
Glass
The average prices of the"Glass"group advanced by 9.6%in October 2012 compared with October 2011.During the first 10 months of 2012,the increases ranged between 2.8%in January and 18.3%in May y-o-y.
Waterproofing products
The report reveals a rise of 6.3%in the average prices of"Waterproofing products"during October 2012 compared with October 201,reflecting increases in the prices of most of the items constituting this group.
Tiles and marble
The average prices of"Tiles and marble"increased by 5.9%in October 2012 compared with October 2011.
Sanitary ware
The average prices of the"bathroom set without accessories"and"stainless steel sink with mixer-single"groups increased by 8.9%and 5.9%respectively,while the average prices of the"bathroom set with accessories"group increased by 3.1%compared with October 2011.
Building materials prices:October/September 2012
Varying changes were reported in the average prices of building materials during October 2012 compared with September 2012,with increases ranging between 0.9%for the"Tiles and marble"group and 8.3%for the"Construction labour costs"group.Price falls were also recorded,ranging between 0.3%for the"Wires for apartments"group,and 4.6%for the"Wires for residential towers"group.
Construction labour costs
The average wages of construction labour increased by 8.3%in October 2012 compared with September 2012.Increases within this group ranged between 6.7%for electricians"and 20.0%for both carpenters and metal fabricators.
Glass
The average prices of"Glass"increased by 3.3%in October compared with September 2012,reflecting increases in most of the items comprising this group.
Wires
The average m-o-m prices of"Wires for residential towers"and"Apartments"decreased by 4.6%and 0.3%respectively in October 2012,while the average prices of"Wires for small building"advanced by 2.5%.
Cement
SCAD reported a drop of 3.5%in the average prices of the"Cement"group by in October 2012 compared with September 2012,owing to a fall of 13.3%in the price of"Sulphate resistant\Al-Etihad U.A.E."cement.
Aggregates and Sand
The average prices of the"Aggregates and sand"group retreated by 3.6%m-o-m in October 2012.The falls recorded in the component items of this group ranged between 3.4%and 9.1%.
Steel
The average prices of"Steel"decreased by 1.8%in October compared with September 2012,as most items under this group underwent falls ranging between 0.7%for"Steel\Beams Steel\Big\Ton\Korea&Japan"and 8.7%for"B.R.C.Mesh\6 mm(142)\Piece\U.A.E.".
Wood
As per SCAD s report,the average prices of the"Wood"group decreased by 4.0%in October compared with September 2012,as a result of decreases in most items in this group.Decreases in the"Wood"group since the beginning of the year,have ranged between 0.3%in March and 4.0%in October 2012.
Cement blocks
The average prices of the"Cement blocks"group decreased by 3.7%m-o-m in October 2012,after stabilizing during the previous four months.
SCAD s report monitors the prices of 21 groups of building materials
SCAD s monthly report of building materials prices report surveys the prices of 21 groups of commodities and services that represent the most important materials used in the construction activity,including cement,aggregate,sand,wood,steel,concrete,cement blocks,etc.
SCAD has published this report on a monthly basis since 2008.The report data are collected by the Centre s field staff on a monthly basis,in line with the directives of the emirate s leadership for the development of economic sectors and support of their stability in all areas of interest to decision makers,policy planners,researchers,etc.
